“You might want to listen to the podcast. There have been several revelations. For instance, four people have come forward saying they each saw Candace after Friday night. Two sightings on Sunday, another on Monday night, and one Tuesday morning.”

“Like I told the police when it happened, like everyone knows, I didn’t see Candace after she left the party.”

“You told the police that you were arguing at the party about whether to call campus police about the homeless man.”

“Exactly. He was harassing people, and he scared everyone except Candace, but maybe she should have had a little more fear because then she would still be alive.”

Through the screen door, Regan watched Taylor grab a pack of cigarettes from a small table in the entry. She pulled a lighter out from the package, shook out a Virginia Slim, and lit up. Relief crossed her face as she inhaled.

“Why do you people want to stir shit up?” Taylor said. “Candace is dead. She’s gone. Nothing is going to bring her back. All you’re going to do is create problems and get people hurt.”

“How so?” Regan asked.

“I’m not going to talk about this.”

“Are you scared of someone? I can help you. I used to be a US Marshal. I can get you protection.”

“A marshal? What the fuck? What’s going on? You said you weren’t a cop.”

“I’m not a cop anymore, but I am investigating Candace’s murder. I was a marshal, and I can help you if you’re scared.”

Taylor took another long drag on her cigarette. Blew it out through the screen at Regan. She didn’t react, not knowing if Taylor was trying to intimidate her or if she was just rude.

“I’m not scared,” Taylor said, but her manner said otherwise.

“What was your argument with Candace really about, Taylor?”

“Look, the cops said some weird dude from where she volunteered killed her, the same freak that was hanging around for months. And yeah, I was pissed off at Candace for not taking care of the situation sooner by calling in the police.” She took a long drag, then exhaled. “If you were a real investigator, you would know that. Candace and I used to be best friends, and then we weren’t. Now she’s dead, and sure, I feel like shit that we couldn’t get through our problems, you know? So just drop it. That podcast is a fucking stupid idea, and if that asshole thinks he’s going to find her killer or some such nonsense, he’s got a screw loose. Go away and leave this all alone.” She slammed the door, and that was that.

Regan’s phone rang just as she got back in her truck. It was a call from Lucas.

“Can you come to my apartment? Like, as soon as possible?”

“What happened?”